112 / 194
AREYOU “INFLUENCED BYTHE FACTTHAT
GOVERNOR SMITH IS A CATHOLIC”?
168
●
ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D.Typed Letter Signed, to Mr.W.H. Higgs, supposing
that his decision to vote for Hoover rather than Al Smith in the presidential election is due
to a prejudice against Smith’s religion and trying to persuade him to vote the Democratic
ticket. 1 page, 4to,“Democratic National Committee” stationery; folds. (MRS)
NewYork, 1 September 1928
[400/600]
“
Naturally your letter of August 30th is a great disappointment to me and I hope that you will
reconsider your decision to vote the Republican ticket especially after all the years you have
given to help make the Democratic party amount to something.
“
I know you will not mind my asking you frankly whether you are not a good deal influenced
by the fact that Governor Smith is a Catholic. It is an interesting fact that about 95% of the
opposition to him in Democratic circles is due to the religious issue and not in the final analysis
to prohibition or any other political issue before the American public.
“
If you knew both the candidates personally as I do, I am very certain that it would eliminate
any prejudice that you may have in your mind and make you conclude that Governor Smith
would make the better president of the two.”
169
●
ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN D.Typed Letter Signed, to Elmer Mantz, stating that
he has conveyed Mantz’s suggestion to the Guggenheim Foundation.
1
/
2
page, 4to, personal
stationery; horizontal folds. (MRS)
Warm Springs, GA, 30 November 1928
[100/200]
WITH
—
Carbon copy of Mantz’s typed letter to Roosevelt, suggesting that a fellowship or pro-
fessorship in municipal history would help him realize his scheme, the details of which he hopes
to discuss in an interview. 1 page, 4to. NewYork, 18 July 1927.
168